I am a huge advocate of meal prep and these Meal Prep Tips to Save Time and Money, and Make Life Easier are sure to help even the newest to prepared meals ideas. Planning and cooking ahead for the week are a huge benefit for your diet as well as your wallet. If you are new to meal prep, then you can start small and just do lunches for the week. Or you can go all in an change everything!
Over the years, I’ve helped so many friends who couldn’t wrap their heads around how easy it actually is to meal prep. Actually showing them how easy it is to do and be successful. How to make foods you love and make you happy, be satiated, and lose weight. Whether you need a lunch idea or dinner ideas, I’ve got you covered!
First looking at the thought of it, they are overwhelmed. Thinking it will be too hard. Feeling like they will not be able to have foods they enjoy. The key is finding the meals you like and it’s easy from there!
Once you get familiar with the idea and what works, it becomes easier adapting recipes you like to healthy meal prep. Especially if what you formerly liked was processed food. Fresh foods really do taste better.
With how busy these generations lives have become, it’s no wonder we have jumped to processed foods and foods. It’s so hard to stay on top of daily cooking. That’s why I have taken up meal prep, regardless of what plan I follow.
Meal prep is not only a time saver since you are cooking once a week, but this can allow you to stay on top of your nutrition and calorie intake. Sheet pan dinner ideas are the easiest method.
Just like my friends, I want to help you get started on meal prep, so I am sharing the same Meal Prep Tips and tricks for meal prep success.
MEAL PREP TIPS TO SUCCESS
WHAT EXACTLY IS MEAL PREP?
Meal prep, actually short for meal preparation, simply means just that, planning and preparing your meals ahead of time. Select a day of the week, easiest for you, to set aside time to plan and prep meals for that week. Jumping in, many just start with one meal a week. However, you will soon see just how easy and time-saving it is that you will want to meal prep all three meals for the week!
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
Every great idea starts with a plan. And as I’ve already said and helped so many others, so I know how overwhelming this is for those new to meal prepping. Before you know it, you’ll be loving it and never not want to meal prep. Trust me, it’s addicting lol.
MEAL PREP TIPS: START WITH A PLAN
- Write down the meals you’ll be having for the week. Start with meaks that you already breeze through. Those tried and true. If you need to select one from the list, make it an easy one to start. For my friends, I always started them out with one easy recipe each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Make a list of everything you need to make these meals.
- Shop for the items from your list.
- Take the day you selected that was easiest for you and make the meals. Start with one meal at a time so that you do not become overwhelmed.
MEAL PREP TIPS: MEAL PREP FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
While meal prep makes it easier and allows you to track calories and portion control, it’s still up to you. You have to stick with it. You can’t think a meal was good and grab another lol. You will definitely be healthier by avoiding processed and fast foods as well as unhealthy meal skipping. And ultimately save time and money. It’s so much easier to grab a prepped healthy meal when you are in a time crunch.
MEAL PREP TIPS: DO I NEED SPECIAL CONTAINERS?
You can certainly start with what you have if budget is a concern. Make sure it’s something that will keep it fresh.
Meal prep containers do make meal prep easier. I simply line them up on the counter and fill when a meal is complete. They come in all shapes and styles. I have these plastic containers, which I loved and seal well. However, I am slowly switching over to these glass containers to eliminate plastic in my home. For salads, I use these wide mouth mason jars. Be sure to get wide mouth.
MEAL PREP TIPS: HOW LONG WILL MEALS KEEP?
So, you need to properly cool the meal (less than 2 hours) before placing in the fridge, using containers that seal well, most keep up to 7 days. Be sure to check out my 20 Brilliant Hacks To Keep Your Fridge Clean And Organized.
MEAL PREP TIPS: CAN I FREEZE MY MEALS?
Freezing is always a great option! I have several meals that I make that are freezer friendly and once prepared, I still put in my storage container for easy grabbing. Again, proper cooling before freezing is important. Having prepared meals in already portioned meals also makes thawing easier.
When you want a particular freezer meal, either select one allowing to thaw overnight in the fridge and then microwaving about 2 minutes or pull directly from the freezer microwaving about 4-5 minutes.
The Best Meal Prep Recipes That Are Pinterest Favorites
Now that I have you ready with my Meal Prep Tips and tricks, dive into my favorite meal prep recipes for everything from lunches ideas to healthy breakfast.
I hope you like them too. These are tried and true favorites.
Meatless Meal Prep
Spicy Chickpea Quinoa Bowl from Eat Yourself Skinny
Lo Mein Meal Prep from Damn Delicious
Copycat Starbucks PB&J Bistro Box from Damn Delicious
Curried Chickpea Bowls with Garlicky Spinach from Eating Bird Food
Vegetarian Quinoa Burrito Bowls from Simply Quinoa
Healthy Meal Prep Bowls from Green Healthy Cooking
No Cook Snack Boxes from The Beachbody Blog
Tofu Burrito Bowl from The Fitchen
Turkey Meal Prep
TURKEY TACO SALAD MEAL PREP
Turkey taco salad to-go kit. What could be better than this?
HONEY SRIRACHA GLAZED MEATBALLS
These Honey Sriracha Glazed Meatballs are sweet, spicy and full of so much flavor! They also take less than 30 minutes to make and are perfect for weekly meal prep!
ZUCCHINI NOODLES WITH TURKEY MEATBALLS
These make-ahead zucchini and turkey meatball meal prep boxes will make you forget all about pasta. It’s light, healthy and low carb!
Turkey Taco Lunch Bowls from Sweet Peas and Saffron
Thai Turkey Meal Prep Lettuce Wraps from Sweet Peas and Saffron
Zucchini Noodles with Turkey Meatballs from Damn Delicious
Honey Sriracha Glazed Meatballs from Eat Yourself Skinny
Turkey Spinach Pinwheels Meal Prep from Damn Delicious
Turkey Taco Bowls with Cauliflower Rice from Kirbie’s Cravings
Chicken Meal Prep
Chicken Meal Prep Bowls: 5 Ways from Smile Sandwich
DELI STYLE PROTEIN BOX
Basic isn’t always bad, and this deli style protein box is proof positive. Simply begin with pre-made chicken, then add a hard boiled egg, apples, grapes, handful of pretzels, and cheese stick for this quickie meal.
Chicken Pad Thai Noodles from Life Made Sweeter
Hawaiian Chicken Meal Prep Bowls from Life in the Lofthouse
Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry from Kirbie’s Cravings
Meal Prep Chicken Burrito Bowls from Gimme Delicious
Sriracha Chicken Cauliflower Fried Rice from Kirbie’s Cravings
No Cook Burrito Bowls from Everyday Meal Prep
Thai Chicken Wrap Bistro Boxes from Gimme Delicious
Tex-Mex Chicken Meal Prep Bowls from Valerie’s Kitchen
Thai Chicken Salad with Skinny Peanut Dressing from Little Spice Jar
HONEY LIME CHICKEN SHEET PAN WITH ASPARAGUS MEAL PREP
Honey Lime Chicken Sheet Pan– the perfect easy dinner for busy weeknights. Although it can be made (with lemon) in just ONE sheet pan, it’s full of tender asparagus and broccoli for added flavor and complexity.
Peanut Lime Chicken Lunch Bowls from Sweet Peas and Saffron
Fajita Bowls (Meal Prep) from Spend with Pennies
Slow Cooker Orange Chicken from Life Made Sweeter
Baked Lime Chicken Bowls from Yummy Healthy Easy
Honey Lime Chicken from Life Made Sweeter
Cilantro Lime Chicken with Cauliflower Rice from Fit Foodie Finds
Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad from Sweet Peas and Saffron
Fiesta Chicken Rice Bowls from The Girl on Bloor
Slow Cooker Chicken Lo Mein Bowls from Life Made Sweeter
CHICKEN FAJITA MEAL PREP BOWLS WITH CILANTRO LIME QUINOA
Chicken Fajita Meal Prep Lunch Bowls are teamed with cilantro lime quinoa for a healthy, tasty, fast recipe to make weekday lunch prep so easy!
Honey Sesame Chicken Bowls from Sweet Peas and Saffron
Cashew Chicken Meal Prep from Life Made Sweeter
One Pan Teriyaki Chicken with Vegetables from Life Made Sweeter
Chicken Teriyaki Stir-Fry from Buzzfeed
Asian Honey Lemon Chicken from Life Made Sweeter
Chicken Burrito Bowls
A week’s worth of lunch made in just 1 hour. This time-saving meal-prep chicken burrito bowls recipe will help you get healthy lunch on the table at work, school or home quickly without sacrificing flavor or your hard-earned money!
Chicken and Hummus Lunch Meal Prep from Project Meal Plan
Meal Prep Butter Chicken from Gimme Delicious
Meal Prep Greek Chicken Gyro Bowls from Creme de la Crumb
Healthy Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls from Ally’s Cooking
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Chicken Bowls from Unbound Wellness
Healthy Roasted Chicken and Veggies
Seasoned with olive oil and Italian spices then roasted to perfection, this sheet pan chicken and rainbow veggies is great for meal prep and makes a healthy lunch or dinner too!
Pesto Chicken Pita Pockets from Sweet Peas and Saffron
Sheet Pan Parmesan Pesto Chicken, Broccoli and Carrots from Carlsbad Craving
Pesto Chicken & Veggies from Buzzfeed
Greek Chicken Roasted Cauliflower Meal Prep Bowls from Food Faith Fitness
Chicken Shawarma and Sweet Potato Fry Bowls from Hall Baked Harvest
Thai Chicken Wraps Meal-Prep Bistro Boxes
Your favorite Thai flavors are packed into these simple, healthy and delicious chicken wraps with spicy peanut sauce. Besides the under 30 minute prep time, these Starbucks style wraps come together and make bistro boxes for the entire week.
Greek Healthy Meal Prep from 40 Aprons
Italian Chicken Meal Prep Bowls from Eazy Peazy Mealz
Jerk Chicken Meal Prep Bowls from Food Lovin Family
Greek Chicken Bowls from Eazy Peazy Mealz
Greek Chicken and Veggies with Tzatziki
Your favorite Greek flavors to go. Healthy meal-prep bowls packed with brown rice, roasted chicken and veggies, pita and tzatziki sauce.
Lemon & Thyme Chicken Meal Prep from Yummy Healthy Easy
Honey Mustard Chicken with Roasted Carrots and Potatoes from Recipe Righter
Baked Chicken, Broccoli and Sweet Potatoes from Recipe Diaries
Chicken Butternut Squash Pasta from Imma Eat That
Buffalo Chicken Ranch Whole 30 Meal Prep from 40 Aprons
JERK CHICKEN MEAL PREP BOWLS
These jerk chicken and rice bowls are delicious right out of the container or wrapped up in a tortilla with a little diced avocado. The spicy flavor of the jerk seasoning paired with the sweet pineapple salsa makes for one tasty meal.
Pineapple Chicken Meal Prep Bowls from The Culinary Compass
Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowls from Jar of Lemons
BBQ Chicken and Roasted Sweet Potato Bowls from the Creative Bite
20 Minute Chicken, Rice and Broccoli from Gimme Delicious
BBQ Chicken & Roasted Sweet Potato Bowls
BBQ Chicken & Roasted Sweet Potato Bowls are a hearty and healthy dinner idea bursting with bold flavors and nutritious vegetables. This easy sheet pan recipe is perfect for meal prepping lunches for work or a quick weeknight meal.
Harvest Chicken Salad from Life Love and Good Food
Spicy Chicken and Sweet Potato Meal from Pinch of Yum
One-Pan Chicken And Veggie Meal Prep from Buzzfeed
Simple and Healthy Chicken Sweet Potato Bake from Apple of My Eye
Healthy Chicken and Veggies from Gimme Delicious
Seafood Meal Prep
TUNA SALAD MEAL PREP
Hearty, healthy and light snack boxes for the entire week makes everything so much easier at meal time! What’s better than homemade Greek yogurt tuna salad, egg, almonds, cucumber and apple?
SKINNY BANG BANG ZUCCHINI NOODLES MEAL PREP
These bang bang shrimp accompanied by zucchini noodles are so easy to make. It’s a simple dish, and yet, so flavorful. They require few ingredients and take only a quick few minutes of hands-on time!
Honey BBQ Baked Salmon Bowls from Cotter Crunch
Lemon Roasted Salmon with Sweet Potatoes from Little Spice Jar
Shrimp Fried Rice Meal Prep from Damn Delicious
Shrimp Teriyaki Zucchini Noodles from Gimme Delicious
Beef Meal Prep
Steak Cobb Salad Meal Prep from Damn Delicious
Teriyaki Beef Zoodles from Life Made Sweeter
Salsa Verde Taco Bowls from Easy Peasy Meals
Steak Burrito Bowl from Six Sisters Stuff
Meal Prep Taco Salad Lunch Bowls from Kristine’s Kitchen
Beef and Broccoli from Life Made Sweeter
Korean Beef Bowl Meal Prep from Damn Delicious
Sheet Pan Steak and Veggies from Damn Delicious
Pork Meal Prep
Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl from Peace Love and Low Carbs
One Pan Italian Sausage and Veggies from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Carnitas Burrito Bowls from Fit Foodie Finds
BONUS!
BREAKFAST-
SNACKS-
- Meal Prep: Strawberry Banana Green Smoothie
- Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Skinny Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Dip
- Sweet Potato Hummus
- Peanut Butter Energy Balls
KETO MEAL PREP
- Breakfast Egg Muffins
- Southwestern Crustless Breakfast Tarts
- Sausage Egg Muffins
- Quick Frittata with Tomatoes & Cheese
- Keto Oatmeal
- Green Low Carb Breakfast Smoothie
- Deli Snack Box
- Chicken Fajita Meal Prep Lunch Bowls
- Italian Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
- Steak Cobb Salad Meal Prep
- Protein-Packed Roasted Vegetable Salad
- Easy Crack Slaw With Ground Beef
- Lemon Chicken & Asparagus Foil Packs
- Cheddar Chicken & Broccoli Casserole
- Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Burritos
- Lemon Pepper Sheet Pan Salmon (Prep Ahead)
- Paleo Beef & Veggie Stir Fry
- Lemon Herb Chicken Sheet Pan with Vegetables
- Keto Cheeseburger Casserole Skillet
I really hope my MEAL PREP TIPS, TRICKS & RECIPES help you on your journey to a healthy way of life! Be sure to comment which recipes worked well for you!
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How long can you leave these meals in the fridge or do you freeze some of them? As a rule I wouldn’t leave any cooked food in the fridge longer than two days. Five or six days (if you prepare on sunday) seems too long?
That depends on what is in them. I would look up the specific main for the dish. Rice should only be kept 1-2 days.
Some great recipe ideas here and easy to adapt to suit any specific dietary requirements.
Many thanks for posting